Directionally visible sighting device

Abstract

Provided herein are sighting devices that include a lighting device within a bore within a housing. The bore has a proximal first end that opens at an end of the housing for a user to look in to, and a lengthwise second end embedded in a closed end of the housing. The lighting source is embedded within the bore. Light from the lighting source is visible to a user, but not to other persons or animals at an angle of greater than 45 degrees with respect to an axis extending through the bore, from behind the opening of the sighting device. Also included are apparatuses, such as projectile-launching apparatuses, which include or incorporate or attach the present sighting devices thereto, kits that include such sighting devices, and methods of using sighting devices.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A sighting device comprising
 a bore within a housing, said bore having an opening at a lengthwise proximal end of the housing for a user to look in to, and having a lengthwise second end at a closed end of said housing, and   a self-illuminating lighting source embedded within the bore wherein the lighting source is selected and positioned such that light only illuminates from the proximal end within a 45 degree radius with respect to an axis running lengthwise through the center of the bore, such that light is not visible to one outside the 45 degree radius.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein light emitting from said sighting device is only visible to a user directly behind said sighting device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein light emitting from said sighting device is not visible to an individual or animal at an angle greater than 40 degree radius with respect to the axis from behind the sighting device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein light emitting from said sighting device is not visible to an individual or animal at an angle greater than 35 degree radius with respect to the axis from behind the sighting device. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination from the proximal end of the housing is controlled based on how far the lighting source is embedded in the bore from the proximal end of the bore. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bore is a lengthwise hole through the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bore is a lengthwise tube within the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting source is a battery-operated LED. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting source is a tritium light source. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting source is an illuminated capsule, encapsulated in glass. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment apparatus adapted for attaching the sighting device to an apparatus for which a sighting device may be useful. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus for which a sighting device may be useful comprises a projectile-launching device. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the projectile-launching device is selected from the group consisting of a firearm, archery bow, paint gun, and air gun. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus for which a sighting device may be useful comprises a non projectile-launching device selected from the group consisting of night vision goggles, binoculars, cameras, and telescopes. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for use in low light conditions comprising
 a sighting device according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus is a projectile-launching device. 
     
     
         17 . A kit comprising
 a device according to  claim 1 ; and   at least one additional item selected from the group consisting of instructions for use and/or mounting said device onto an apparatus for use in low light, an attachment apparatus for attaching the device to the apparatus for use in low light; and at least one tool for attaching the device to the apparatus for use in low light.   
     
     
         18 . A method for sighting a target that includes attaching a sighting device according to  claim 1  to a projectile-launching apparatus, and viewing a sight through the sighting device.